A big update is currently rolling out to users of the excellent 1Password application that includes support for the Apple Watch. According to the company’s blog post, the watch app will let you access important information like credit card numbers and one-time passwords (introduced in a recent update) directly from your wrist.
Without a proper keyboard or Touch ID scanner on the Apple Watch, how exactly you’ll unlock the miniaturized password manager has yet to be revealed, but it will likely rely on the iPhone’s security features to make sure that only authorized users have access to your data.
The new version of 1Password also adds some tweaks to the new messaging center where developer AgileBits can relay important updates or tips, as well as some bug fixes and other small enhancements.
1Password 5.4 is rolling out on the App Store now. It’s available for free with an in-app purchase to unlock the full feature set.
What’s New in Version 5.4
== TL;DR (Yes, we heard you) ==
◆ 1Password for Apple Watch!
◆ Message Center badge can now be disabled.
◆ 1Password now remembers whether you were viewing Favorites or Categories when you close the app.
◆ Web filling fixes and improvements== 1Password 5.4 for iOS, the ‘Go Go Gadget Watch!` Edition ==
Sometimes, it’s the little things that are really exciting. There’s not a lot of big changes in this release, but some sweet refinements to existing features (like the Message Center and 1Password’s Brain) and one lovely little addition for our Pro users: an item detail that lets you ‘Add to Apple Watch.’
◆ Go Go Gadget Watch!
Need that security code to open your garage door, stat? Calling for emergency pizza and need to provide your credit card number? Access all those details on your wrist so you can solve crimes and save your uncle just like Penny.
If you’ve got the Pro features, enable the Apple Watch setting in 1Password and you’ll notice a handy little ‘Add to Apple Watch’ option in your item’s details. Tap to make this item more accessible than ever before!
◆ Message Center: Stealth Mode
Message Center was one of the most talked about features in our 5.3 update. Based on your feedback, we’ve refined this new feature by adding a ‘Mark as Read’ button in the messages list, and an option to turn off the badge icon right from the Message Center screen. We hope you’ll love the tips and content we plan to provide here, but this option ensures that power users aren’t too distracted by the alert.
◆ Pick Up Where You Left Off
Ever feel like you’re lost when you open up 1Password? 1Password now remembers the tab you were viewing when you left the app so you return to familiar surroundings.
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There’s no mystery for how the data will be kept secure. ApplePay requires security also. The watch locks down when it’s removed from your wrist.
Once unlocked on your wrist, it can be used for payments, presumably also passwords can be retrieved.
The watch itself has security features, not just the phone.
Watch apps can’t access those features (yet).
And which features exactly do you imagine they’d have to access? How exactly do you think unlocking the device works? That’s a part of the watch OS, and has nothing to do with the 1Password app.
The 1password app just simply sits behind a locked device, or is exposed by an unlocked device — no “access” to features required.
Maybe an analogy would help.
Consider a phone with a passcode. If you write a note in the notes app, it’s not especially secure, except … well… except for the phone’s passcode.
The notes app doesn’t require “access to the passcode feature” in order to be locked away behind the passcode does it?
If you’ve paid for 1Password why do you have to pay for the app? Will it not connect with your watch without a $9.99 app purchase?
If you’ve already paid for it, then you have the pro features. 1Password went freemium at one point, so only those who haven’t bought the premium features will need to do that, in order to use the watch app.